New Delhi: Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal in October urged Indian businesses in Qatar to fully harness opportunities offered by flagship initiatives such as ‘Make in India’ and ‘Startup India’ to strengthen economic relations between the two nations. In a post on X, Goyal described his “fruitful interaction” with the Indian business delegation in Doha.

He emphasised that leveraging transformative programmes promoting innovation, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship can help unlock the full potential of India-Qatar economic ties, fostering shared prosperity.

“Held a fruitful interaction with the Indian business delegation in Doha. Encouraged them to unlock the full potential of our economic ties and strengthen partnerships by leveraging transformative initiatives such as Make in India and Startup India, fostering shared prosperity between the two nations,” Goyal added.

Goyal also addressed an Indian community event in Doha, praising the diaspora’s contributions to bilateral relations. Highlighting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a self-reliant and prosperous India, he urged the community to explore new avenues for collaboration and deepen business and cultural connections between India and Qatar.

During his visit, the Minister launched India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) at Lulu Hypermarket in Doha. Calling it a “game-changer” for digital connectivity and ease of payments, he noted that UPI reflects India’s commitment to promoting cross-border commerce and advancing the ‘Digital India’ mission.

“Proud to launch Bharat’s own UPI at Lulu Hypermarket in Doha, Qatar. This launch is a game-changer for digital connectivity and ease of payments, reflecting India’s commitment to facilitating cross-border commerce and leveraging ‘Digital India’ initiatives,” he said.

UPI will now operate at Qatar National Bank point-of-sale terminals across major markets, aiding Indian travellers and boosting trade and tourism between the two countries.